Marine Protected Area to be established in Infanta

THE local government of Infanta, Quezon, has commenced in setting up a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Barangay Dinahican, a location that impacts the safety and survival of coastal communities in Infanta, especially during disasters.

The initiative assisted by the Haribon Foundation and BirdLife International aims to protect mangrove restoration areas as well as the protection zone identified under the Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) of Infanta.

According to the foundation, the establishment of an MPA in Dinahican will support the existing fish sanctuary in the area, provide various tourism and livelihood opportunities, and ensure a sustainable and long- term approach following the CommunityBased Natural and Resource Management (CBNRM) system.

Since 2006, Haribon and the Infanta municipal government have worked together for the creation of the locality’s FLUP that was approved in 2012.

Infanta’s FLUP highlights the protection of the South Sierra Madre Mountains, particularly the conservation of Mounts Irid-Angelo, areas under Presidential Proclamation 1636, and in watershed areas in Infanta and neighboring municipalities, Real and General Nakar. The proclamation declared portions of Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, and Bulacan as national park, wildlife sanctuary, and game preserve.

In October 2014, Infanta and Haribon signed a partnership, together with Barangay Dinahican and the Maralitang Mangingisda ng Munting Sabang Association (MMMSA) for the restoration of mangrove forests through the funding support of RICOH Co. Ltd. and with the assistance of BirdLife InternationalTokyo. A total of 10,500 mangrove trees have been planted within 11 hectares from 2015 to 2017.

The partnership also provided learning opportunities to various sectors such as the mangrove restoration training to fisher folks of MMMSA, Ako ay isang BAtangKAWAN to elementary students, Stakeholder’s Training on Mangrove Protection, Fish Trading and Bagoong Making, Environmental Law Education and Paralegal Training, and the Sustainable Tourism and Basic Tour Guiding Training.

Within the next two years, Haribon and its partners aim to complete the MPA establishment in Dinahican under a local legislation and with support from the national government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Understanding the importance of biodiversity for human survival propels actions toward combating climate change effects, as well as conserving and sustainably using our natural resources,” said Haribon.